merry-go-round

[mer-ee-goh-round]

noun

1. Also called carousel. (in amusement parks, carnivals, etc.) a revolving, circular platform with wooden horses or other animals, benches, etc., on which people may sit or ride, usually to the accompaniment of mechanical or recorded music.

2. a rapid whirl or a busy round, as of social life or business affairs.

merry-go-round

noun

1. another name for roundabout

2. a whirl of activity or events

   the merry-go-round of the fashion world

Word History and Origins

Origin of merry-go-round¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

There would be the wobbly start as owner and club got acquainted, a few spins of the managerial merry-go-round, investment in the squad, improvement, promotion, consolidation, sale.

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He said: "Since the target was last met, there has been a merry-go-round of four SNP health secretaries, but not a single one has ever made a dent."

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Longtime fans and analysts of the almost 50-year-old theme park and its iconic double-decker merry-go-round are worried about its future.

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Today, the merry-go-round cannot even be moved by hand.

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The idea of progress on the pool is comforting, Dodge said, given the idle state of the park’s pony rides and merry-go-round, both closed since 2022 for various reasons.

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Related Words

• amusement 
• distraction 
• fun 
• pastime 
• pleasure 

When To Use

What is a merry-go-round?

A merry-go-round is an amusement park ride that consists of a revolving, circular platform with wooden horses or other fixtures, as in Sofia and Camila begged their parents to ride the merry-go-round with them.  A merry-go-round is also known as a carousel. People sit on the fixtures, while the platform goes around slowly and cheery (some might say “cheesy”) music plays.Merry-go-round can also be used figuratively to refer to a whirl, or a busy round, of activity, as in Sports fans are always delighted by the merry-go-round of the trading season. Example: I always enjoyed listening to carnival music when I rode the merry-go-round as a kid.